Manchester board passes first reading to rezone property on McArthur St. to commercial

Posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 10:29 am

The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed the first reading of a controversial rezoning ordinance last Tuesday, voting to rezone the land at 907 McArthur St. (State Route 55) from residential to commercial.

The vote passed 5-1 with alderman Ryan French as the lone dissenting vote. It will need to pass two more readings before becoming official. Aldermen Cheryl Swan, Russell Bryan, Donny Parsley, Roxanne Patton and Tim Pauley voted in favor of rezoning.

Residents in the area are putting up resistance with the board.

“Best I can tell this will be a car lot,” said Terry Gunn, a resident of the neighborhood who spoke on behalf of the residents in attendance. “[The plans] show 18 parking places. For a salon and a bakery 18 are too much. But 18 parking places are required for a dealer’s license.”

The property owner – Glenn Chapman – was in attendance and took time to reassure the board and the concerned residents that he wasn’t planning to open a car lot at the location, even though his original plans called for one.

“When I first started, I planned a car lot,” said Chapman. “I’m not saying someone won’t buy it in the future and do that. But I’m not opening a car lot.”

Gunn also expressed concern that Chapman will seek an entrance and/or exit from the back of the property to Lowry Street, which is a residential area.

“I read these codes,” explained Gunn, “and I can’t find a place where it’s clear that [an entrance to Lowry Street] won’t be allowed.”

Chapman again offered reassurance.

“I do not want access to Lowry Street whatsoever,” said Chapman…..

Continue reading this story in this week’s (March 26) print edition of the Manchester Times. Call 931-728-7577 to subscribe.